Jim Allers. Jimmy Boy. Dad. Honey. Grandpa. Uncle Jim. Boss. Buddy. Jungle Jim. He was so many things to so many people. He was Bob Dylan, sled dogs and toolbelts. He was fine craftsmanship and rugged outdoorsmanship. He was art and geology, literature and history. Jim exemplified courage, steadfastness and curiosity. He wasn’t perfect, but he never stopped seeking ways to grow as a human. He never backed down from a challenge, even in the final fight against cancer.
Jim changed lives. He improved upon the external and internal existence of almost everyone he encountered. He lived a life based on authenticity, caretaking and even to the very end, humor. His 74 years were rich and full, but no one can tell that story like he can himself, so in his own unadulterated, unfiltered and unminced words… we give you James Howard Allers:
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One of the very few advantages of dying from Stage 4 Gastric Cancer, is that you have time to write your own obituary (another huge advantage is no longer being concerned with sugar intake. All my cravings, cakes, pies, cookies are fair game - necessary even to boost my caloric intake).
To wit:
On July 8, 2024, I, James Howard Allers, ended my earthly adventures at the age of 74. I leave behind my loving wife Tracey of nearly 48 years, 3 beautiful, beloved daughters Katelyn Allers, Hannahlee Allers, Amalia Allers, and sons by marriage, Joseph Tolman and Nathan Ray, as well as an adored grandson, Logan Allers Tolman.
I was born on June 16, 1950, the 4th of 5 children and the first son to Howard and Dolores Allers. I spent my elementary school years through 8th grade at St. Augustine’s Catholic School and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1968. I made an attempt at higher education but in the end, I busted out of college preferring to learn the construction trade on the job.
In October of 1975 I met the love of my life, Tracey Schiffman. We married on August 7th, 1976, and together raised our three precious daughters in Spokane, along with some nieces, nephews, and neighbor kids.
My passion has always been high for creating and construction and at a young age I could be found racing around the neighborhood on the go cart I built using an old lawn mower engine. Summers would be spent taking my siblings and cousins out on the lake in the wooden boat I crafted myself. As an adult, I continued my fascination with boating through the design and construction of a wooden river running dory affectionately nicknamed the “FB.” For a couple of years my sweet wife could be heard muttering that I could always be found in my shop working on that “f-ing boat.”
Although I never completed college, I spent my entire life loving education and learning and even into this time in my 70’s I continue to develop new interests. I’ve been especially immersed in our local geology, and Tracey and I have enjoyed exploring the formations and features of the Washington Gorge camping in our vintage motorhome.
In my professional life, a friend and I started a construction company (Eco Builders) in the mid 1970s, specializing in (unheard of at that time) ecologically sustainable housing. While the work was definitely physically demanding I found it very gratifying. Then, in 1987, I took a position at EWU, opting for the stability it provided my growing family. As I moved into supervisory roles within many of the trades utilized there at that time, what surprised me most were the longstanding relationships that developed and the resulting work-family unit that continues to mean so much to me long after my 2017 retirement.
Following said retirement at age 68 until very recently, I remained active and busy with regular exercise in addition to my own creative endeavors. Forays into increasingly more complex woodworking, knife making as well as leather tooling and crafting. I humbly hope the recipients of these creations might reflect fondly on our relationship and time together and know the love I felt for each and every gifted piece. I have been honored to work alongside all three of our daughters with various remodel, construction and artistic projects.
I have always been a firm believer in community service and helping out wherever possible: assisting a nun (she quickly became a fast friend) who ran a home for differently abled adults; helping with home projects through Elderly Services (those were the days - a quick look in a mirror is all it takes to see we are in fact the elderly now); Door knocking for (all the best) political candidates and most recently for many years and up to the time of my death, Tracey and I have delivered hot meals to seniors through the Meals On Wheels program.
Together with my wife we brought our girls up to have a true relationship with the outdoors and every year would see at least one epic adventure which soon became known as Allers vacation boot camp, AKA SufferFest. The most recent was cycling from Spokane’s South Hill to the top of Steptoe Butte - approximately 70 miles with the extreme Butte climb at the end of that distance, for which my girls designed and had special bike jerseys made. Unbeknownst to me, the tumor later named Hans Gruber was my unwelcome companion on that ride.
Other notable boot camps saw us canoe the Boundary Waters, summit several mountains including Mt Adams and Mt Hood, and complete a death march through the Pasayten Wilderness. My whole life I’ve had an insatiable love of all movement including mountain biking, road biking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and canoeing and kayaking and I competed in all of those disciplines including multi-sport events such as STOKER and SKI to SEA. I am proud to have completed more than one marathon with a best time of just over 3 hours and I’d like to think I was always ready to register for any event one or more of our daughters would come up with like the Dirty Dash or the challenge course of the Spokane River Run.
In between all these loves and activities, Tracey and I, often with one, two or all three of the girls, managed to see the world, traveling to Japan, Mexico and 4 European trips taking in the deep history of more than a dozen countries there. Okay, maybe taking in a few legs of the Tour de France as well. Most recently, last November & early December we spent three weeks immersing ourselves in Christmas Markets, while dragging our packs and apparently a good-sized tumor, across Europe.
All of life changed or halted mere months ago with this diagnosis of cancer. What never changed however, was my need to spend time with my dear wife, see my girls at every opportunity, and experience the joy of my grandson running into my open arms. I am saddened to know I will no longer be around to experience the joy in the immense love I’ve had for my family and friends. To the ones who know the meaning of the dance . . . I hope you’ll continue to raise a bottle on my birthday in the true BBBBB fashion and I will be there in spirit!
In addition to my beloved wife and daughters, I am survived by my mother Dolores Allers, three sisters, Arlene Buck, Judith Vest, Jacqueline Ingersoll and my brother Nicholas Allers and many much-loved nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends.
There will be a celebration of my life from 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26 at Runway 4 Events Center at Felts Field (6095 E. Rutter Ave, Spokane, WA, 99212). We will have a short program beginning around 5:30 p.m. Please come in whatever attire makes you happiest and with a story to share about Jim. We will have light appetizers and drinks available for everyone and children are welcome. Note that the entrance to the event is on the west side of the building, even though Google says it is on the east side (here is a Google Maps pin to the entrance: https://maps.app.goo.gl/inDiX5toTHcv7hX57). There is parking on both sides of the building and there will be signs to point you where to go.
In lieu of flowers, I humbly request donations to Evergreen East, a club of bicycle enthusiasts dedicated to the creation and maintenance of sustainable trails for riders of all skill levels to get out and enjoy. You may find out more about them here: https://www.evergreeneast.org/. To donate via Venmo, visit https://www.evergreenmtb.org/donate-venmo or if you don’t use Venmo then https://www.evergreenmtb.org/support-us/donate. If you choose to donate, please write James Allers in the comment section.
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Enjoy your rest, Jim, we have no fear for what happens next, because wherever you go, you will create joy. We know when we meet you on the other side of this life, we will find you in a better place, because you will make it that way.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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